"The United States is eager to continue working with the city," said the U.S. Deputy Secretary

The Mayor of Medellin, Alonso Salazar Jaramillo, walked with the Deputy Secretary of State of the U.S., James Steinberg and the Ambassador P. Michael McKinley around the House of Justice and Government of the Comuna 13.

Together with a delegation composed of a dozen U.S. government officials the Mayor explained to the Secretary the essence of the transformation of that part of the city. Accompanied by the Mayor of Medellin, Alonso Salazar Jaramillo, the Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg, walked the streets last Tuesday in the Comuna 13. With a face of satisfaction, the U.S. official met the Las Independencias Quality School in the neighborhood of the House of Justice, and toured the facilities of the Integrated Intervention Center.

Pleasantly surprised, the senior U.S. official expressed his appreciation regarding the opportunity to visit the city. "We are proud to have such a strong a relation with the Mayor of Medellin and as he mentioned, we are moving to train judges and prosecutors which demonstrates our joint commitment to the Municipal Administration to work for the city," said the Deputy Secretary of State. He also expressed satisfaction with the social and urban transformation of the city and highlighted the leadership of Mayor Alonso Salazar Jaramillo, adding that the city itself demonstrates the hope and commitment for improvement.

"The United States is eager to continue working with the city," said Mr. Steinberg.

The American Secretary of State, James Steinberg, said his Government is interested in cooperating with Medellin in social impact strategies that replicate the work that has been performing the Integrated Intervention Center in the Comuna 13. "I was very impressed to see the improvements in these areas. And I am proud to participate in the cooperation of my Government for social inclusion and progress programs," said Mr. Steinberg.

Mayor Salazar Jaramillo said that during the visit of Mr. Steinberg in the Integrated Intervention Centre he was able to tell details of the transformation of the city and the evolution of the security situation and the social investment his Office. He also talked about the progress in the adoption of a figure like that of CI2 in the area. "We let them him know some aspects of the reality of the city and we told him what the transformation has been like. I can say he has a great knowledge of what has happened in the city according to the questions he made," said the local official. The Mayor said the city hopes that this visit will open new possibilities for exchange of experiences between the U.S. and Medellin.